Properties of water

Question 1

Water as a solvent

Answer 1

Positive and negative parts of water molecule attract other charged particles like ions and other polar molecules like glucose. Ions and polar molecules can dissolve in water, but non-polar molecules like lipids can’t.

Question 2

Water as a transport medium

Answer 2

Blood is largely made of water and transports many dissolved substances around the body. Minerals dissolved in water are transported from the root to the leaves through the xylem in plants.

Question 3

Chemical reactions take place in water

Answer 3

Transport of ions and polar molecules allows chemical reactions to take place when particles and molecules meet.

Question 4

High specific heat capacity

Answer 4

Large amount of heat energy needed to raise temperature of water. Prevents large fluctuations in water temperature. This keeps temperature of aquatic environments stable so organisms don’t have to endure extremes of temperature. This also allows enzymes within cells to work effectively.

Question 5

High latent heat of vaporization

Answer 5

Because of water molecules cohesion, a large amount of heat energy is needed to change water from liquid to vapour/gas. This process of evaporation transfers heat energy and is an effective way of cooling the body e.g sweating or panting.
Evaporation of water from a surface causes cooling.

Question 6

Cohesion

Answer 6

The attraction between water molecules allows water to be transported, in long columns, up the xylem vessels of even the tallest trees